– The London Edition – a luxury staycation in my hometown

The London EDITION is unlike anywhere I have ever stayed before. It merges a kind of undetectable laid-back-ness with the highest shining peak of luxury…and combines stunning, old London and iconic design with new, modern, innovation and fresh, exciting style.  Which should be confusing… but it isn’t. It’s just wonderful.

 

 

I entered the Lobby and was immediately struck by the sheer beauty of the space. Enormously triple room high ceilings, lots and lots and LOTS of stunning original features, (stained glass windows, restored stucco ceiling) the most beautiful furniture, sweeping marble floor and a massive silver egg sculpture, descending from the ceiling.

The design is the brainchild of Ian Schrager, king of boutique hotels and the chap who brought us the iconic Studio 54. (I just had a flash of Aleksandr Petrovsky.)
We were whisked off to our room and pledged to return and drink lovely things in the bar (it was undergoing some work when we visited, but a temporary one had been erected) before heading out to dinner later that evening.

“The rooms are based on how it would feel to be in a yacht” explained the (really beautiful) girl who took us to our room.. I can see what she meant – I felt like I’d walked into a Bond movie. And therefore had the body of Halle Berry. Very pleased.

We may have eaten some snacks from the mini bar. Best mini bar in the world, I’d say. Big sweeping statement, but it has to be true. You can’t see all the goodies in this pic, but believe me – it was very nearly the most exciting thing in the room. Apart from the huge TV and film selection. And the HUMUNGOUS walk in shower big enough for 8. Oh, and the ridiculously comfortable bed, walnut desk, oatmeal-upholstered George Smith tufted lounge chair and silk curtains. They were quite good too.
We unpacked, read books, decided where we wanted to eat for dinner, showered (amazing amazing amazing shower) and then headed down for pre-dinner cocktails.

LM had some kind of wonderful whisky and I opted for a Dark and Stormy – my favourite cocktail. Here’s Derren doing amazing things with a cocktail shaker, as he whipped it up for me…

It was totally delicious. I am not a big drinker (as you know) but I could have happily stayed in that lobby slurping these all night long. Although, I may have turned into someone that can’t talk and falls over. And everyone would laugh and point and say “Look at that girl who can’t talk and keeps falling over.” Which is not the look I was going for on that particular evening.
We finished our drinks and headed out into Soho, where we ate Peking Duck and Pancakes until our tummies popped.
It is such a special feeling being on ‘holiday’ in London. I love my city so much, but there’s something about a staycation that makes me appreciate it even more… I walked about feeling more carefree and light on my feet… Even though I was walking down streets I’ve walked down hundreds of times before, I felt like a tourist in a new place. It was lovely.
After our post-dinner stroll we headed back to the hotel and straight into the Punch Room, a fumed-oak panelled den, where we both sampled two different types of punch.. and I did not fall over.
The Punch Room is a modern twist on a room inspired by the comfort of manor house libraries and nineteenth-century London’s private clubs. As the name suggests, the cocktail focus is the Punch Bowl. For 2, 4, 6, or 8 people, guests can order one of eight carefully crafted specialty punches including the gin infused EDITION Punch with jasmine tea and oak moss…

We sank back into the soft sofas lining the walls, drank punch and listened to the 1920s ragtime tunes, which fitted the room just perfectly. I do love a spot of Scott Joplin.
Just as I thought we were nearing the end of the evening, we were reminded by a very friendly chap, that we couldn’t possibly come to The London Edition and not visit Basement, the infamous club in the basement of the hotel, under the lobby.
So we did.

A completely different scene unfolded in the club and I transformed into ULTRA COOL POPPY. The DJ, the dancing and the delicious drinks (slushies! But more tequilla than toffee) made for a totally unexpected experience against the backdrop of the rest of the hotel. Creative director, Ben Chew, said he wanted to “do something in the West End that doesn’t revolve around the sparklers and champagne vibe.”
Tick!
If you’re cocktail counting, then you’ll have clocked the Dark and Stormy, punch and slushies.. so it will be no surprise to you that I was now finding everything hilarious and it was time to go to bed.
We awoke the following day and came down to eat breakfast in Berners Tavern, the all day restaurant from Michelin starred executive chef, Jason Atherton.

The impact of this room is enormous – you can practically hear jaws hitting the floor as new arrivals take it all in…Oh. My. Goodness. A wow wow wow room, with super high ceilings, colossal chandeliers, elegant-going-on-forever walls adorned with oodles of paintings and a long cocktail bar, which I did not sample (for obvious reasons – see above) but have heard wonderful things…

Here’s a little video I took of the beautiful room…

The breakfast menu is extensive but not overwhelming. Unless you count the fact that you will want to eat everything you see as overwhelming. In which case, it’s completely overwhelming.
I had a fresh melon juice, a beautifully smooth latte and brioche French toast, smoked streaky bacon and maple syrup. Yes I did. And it was heavenly.

LM went for avocado on toast with the most perfect poached eggs and we shared a fresh fruit salad…

The whole experience of The London EDITION is one of effortless luxury. I felt cocooned in a magical and beautiful world, whether I was in my stunning room, either of the bars or Berners Tavern.
It is an experience I won’t forget in a hurry and one I recommend to all of you as a perfect location for the ultimate luxury staycation in wonderful London town.
 

 
 
 
The London EDITION
10 Berners Street
London
W1T 3NP